Antibody that blocks inhibitory signals from the tumour to cells of the immune system resulting in enhanced anti-tumour immunity.

Oncology

Redefining the treatment paradigm to eliminate cancer as a cause of death

Our approach

Even as research and development continues to break boundaries in how we understand and fight cancer, there are still more than eight million lives lost every year to the disease.

At AstraZeneca, we are committed to advancing the science of oncology to deliver life-changing medicines to patients most in need. With a combination-focused pipeline that exploits the power of four scientific platforms to help address unmet clinical needs in a host of cancers, we are motivated by a dedication to the scientific discovery and collaboration that will one day help eliminate cancer as a cause of death.

Our scientific platforms

We've decided to concentrate on four scientific platforms that we believe give us the best chance in finding routes to effective medicines in the most efficient way.

Four key disease areas

Breast cancer

Ovarian cancer

Haematology

What we're working on

As part of our commitment to oncology, we're constantly working on new and exciting streams of work. Here are just a few of what we're up to at the moment.

Haematology

Our haematology franchise exemplifies how AstraZeneca partners with science-led companies to contribute complementary technologies, know-how, and molecules to help accelerate the development and delivery of novel medicines. While we are at the beginning of our ambitious journey in haematology, through our strategic partnerships we are already delivering transformational therapies to enhance and extend the lives of people with haematologic cancers.

WEE1 inhibition

Irregular activity of the WEE1 kinase, a kinase regulator of cell cycle checkpoints in healthy cells, has been linked to cancers such as ovarian and non-small-cell lung. Inhibiting this activity has demonstrated interference with DNA damage response within tumor cells and can eventually lead to their death. AstraZeneca is currently evaluating an investigational, highly selective WEE1 inhibitor designed to leverage this mechanism for a variety of solid tumours.

AKT inhibition

Many cellular processes are regulated by a signaling network composed of three key enzymes, but this network is often disrupted in a number of cancers. Gene amplification of AKT (protein kinase B) has been identified as a tumour driver, and its mutations are thought to mediate resistance to conventional chemotherapies. AstraZeneca is currently exploring an investigational pan AKT-kinase inhibitor as a potential treatment for advanced solid tumours and metastatic malignancies.

Selective oestrogen receptor downregulation

In about 70% of breast cancers, specific oestrogen receptors are over-expressed, and even when patients are treated with current therapies targeting this driver, many still progress. To address this need for effective treatment alternatives, AstraZeneca is currently developing a selective oestrogen receptor downregulator, an innovative investigational molecule being explored in clinical trials as a potential oral treatment for types of advanced breast cancers with certain receptor mutations.

Our Oncology pipeline

Our robust pipeline includes investigational therapies in varied stages of clinical development, from recently approved products to earlier-stage molecules in clinical trials. We aspire to transform the lives of cancer patients, working to eliminate cancer as a cause of death in the future.

Phase 3/LCM Projects: refers to assets that are pivotal in Phase II/III, or that have been submitted for regulatory approval, and may include assets that are now launched in one or more major markets (removed when launched in all applicable major markets).

Our Oncology medicines

Our medicines are approved in individual countries for specific uses and the information we provide for patients is governed by local regulations.

You should visit your local AstraZeneca site to find out more about our medicines in your country. In some countries we are not allowed to provide very much, or sometimes any, information on our prescription medicines so you should seek alternative trustworthy sources. Always ask a healthcare professional for advice about medicines.

Arimidex

Calquence

Calquence (acalabrutinib) is a selective inhibitor of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) approved for the treatment of adult patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy.

Casodex, Cosudex

Casodex, Cusodex (bicalutamide) is an anti-androgen therapy used to treat prostate cancer. A 50mg tablet is used for advanced prostate cancer; a 150mg tablet is used for locally advanced prostate cancer.

Faslodex

Faslodex (fulvestrant) is an injectable selective estrogen receptor degrader used for the treatment of hormone receptor positive advanced breast cancer either as a monotherapy or in combination with targeted therapies.

Imfinzi

Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to PD-L1 and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with PD-1 and CD80, countering the tumour's immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses. Imfinzi is approved for unresectable, Stage III NSCLC in more than 40 countries including the US, EU, and Japan based on the Phase III PACIFIC trial. Imfinzi is also approved for previously-treated patients with advanced bladder cancer in the US, Canada, Brazil, Israel, India, United Arab Emirates, Australia and Hong Kong.

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